Exhibitions Now On
"Love · Ireland—Literary Love from Island to Island" Special Exhibition (「愛‧愛爾蘭—島至島的文學之愛」特展)
In the name of love, sail to Love · Ireland
Ireland and Taiwan are respectively located on the fringes of Eurasia. Although separated by thousands of miles, they share similar historical experiences—colonial rule, the struggle for cultural identity, and the crisis of the gradual disappearance of mother tongues. Irish literature has long written about oppression and resistance, yet it always takes "love" as its core: a deep gaze at home, land, language, and people. Taiwan, also an island, explores its own identity in words, producing a profound resonance with Ireland.
1 | Island of Language, Roots of Civilization
Irish culture originates from Celtic traditions and island history. Colonial rule excluded the Irish language from education and power for a long time. After the rise of national consciousness in the 19th century, language became an important symbol for rebuilding cultural self-confidence. Language is not just a communication tool, but the foundation of island identity.
2 | Literary Self-Awareness under the Shadow of Colonialism
At the end of the 19th century, Irish writers refused to imitate the literature of the suzerain country and turned to writing the voices of the land and the common people. Even when using English, they tried to create a literary language belonging to Ireland, launching a literary renaissance of great cultural significance.
3 | The National Soul in the Theater
The Abbey Theatre (艾比劇院), established in 1904, became an important stage for Irish culture. From Yeats to Beckett, the theater both carried national passion and became a space for reflecting on language, power, and existence, mirroring ever-changing social identities.
4 | When the Smoke Clears, Language Speaks Again
Since the 1960s, the Northern Ireland conflict has torn society apart. Literature has become a key voice for recording trauma and pursuing peace. After the 1998 peace agreement, writers have re-written memory and the future, making literature a field for repair and dialogue.
5 | Echoes between Islands—Taiwan and Ireland
Colonial experience, the marginalization of mother tongues, and cultural renaissance make Taiwan and Ireland reflect each other in literature. This exhibition looks back at the history of both places from an island perspective, showing how literature crosses time and space to generate resonance amidst differences.
Ireland and Taiwan are respectively located on the fringes of Eurasia. Although separated by thousands of miles, they share similar historical experiences—colonial rule, the struggle for cultural identity, and the crisis of the gradual disappearance of mother tongues. Irish literature has long written about oppression and resistance, yet it always takes "love" as its core: a deep gaze at home, land, language, and people. Taiwan, also an island, explores its own identity in words, producing a profound resonance with Ireland.
1 | Island of Language, Roots of Civilization
Irish culture originates from Celtic traditions and island history. Colonial rule excluded the Irish language from education and power for a long time. After the rise of national consciousness in the 19th century, language became an important symbol for rebuilding cultural self-confidence. Language is not just a communication tool, but the foundation of island identity.
2 | Literary Self-Awareness under the Shadow of Colonialism
At the end of the 19th century, Irish writers refused to imitate the literature of the suzerain country and turned to writing the voices of the land and the common people. Even when using English, they tried to create a literary language belonging to Ireland, launching a literary renaissance of great cultural significance.
3 | The National Soul in the Theater
The Abbey Theatre (艾比劇院), established in 1904, became an important stage for Irish culture. From Yeats to Beckett, the theater both carried national passion and became a space for reflecting on language, power, and existence, mirroring ever-changing social identities.
4 | When the Smoke Clears, Language Speaks Again
Since the 1960s, the Northern Ireland conflict has torn society apart. Literature has become a key voice for recording trauma and pursuing peace. After the 1998 peace agreement, writers have re-written memory and the future, making literature a field for repair and dialogue.
5 | Echoes between Islands—Taiwan and Ireland
Colonial experience, the marginalization of mother tongues, and cultural renaissance make Taiwan and Ireland reflect each other in literature. This exhibition looks back at the history of both places from an island perspective, showing how literature crosses time and space to generate resonance amidst differences.
Event Details
- 2026-01-01 — 國立臺灣文學館